Ask a Doctor column: Retinal health key part of eye exam

Answer: Your eye care professional is correct to check for retinal detachment. Although it is relatively rare, this condition can happen in an otherwise healthy eye and go unnoticed for some time. It is much easier to treat if caught early in the process.

This condition involves the vitreous gel inside the eye, which over time starts to change its structure and slowly separates, or detaches, from the retina. The retina is responsible for our vision and is the sensitive layer that covers the inside part of the wall of the eye.

There are parts of the eye where the vitreous gel is tightly attached to the retina. If the strength of the separation is severe enough, a retinal tear could develop. Retinal tears could lead to retinal detachment and cause symptoms such as flashing lights and "floaters" in the vision.

People with these symptoms should seek immediate care. If caught quickly enough when there is only a tear rather than a complete detachment, we can perform a laser treatment to create a small scar. This can prevent the fluid from causing further detachment of the retina from the wall of the eye.

If the retinal detachment is not detected early, it can be devastating and result in loss of vision. Fortunately, we do have advanced treatment options to help our patients; in some cases, if the retinal detachment is small, we can inject a gas bubble inside the eye and perform either laser treatment or cryotherapy, which freezes the retinal tear. This treatment can be performed in the office.

In the majority of retinal detachment cases, we perform a suture-less, same-day surgery in our Ambulatory Surgery Center. This procedure requires sophisticated equipment - which Marshfield Clinic has obtained specifically to treat this condition - and extensive, subspecialty fellowship training and experience, which I have. We use the smallest, least traumatic instruments and the most advanced and up-to-date equipment for this condition in our area.

Dr. Nikolaos Trichopoulos is a board certified ophthalmologist and retinal specialist at Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center. This column provides health information and is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for care from your health care provider.